Champions League Final Must Be Removed From Rome!

Times Online is running a campaign to have Europe's showpiece event moved to a safer venue.

In 2001, 19 Liverpool fans were stabbed in Rome as they met Roma in the Uefa Cup and then the Champions League.

In December 2007, 16 Manchester United supporters were knifed in the city while in 2006 a number of Middlesbrough fans were stabbed before a Uefa Cup match.

Last week an Arsenal supporters' coach came under attack by a group of Ultras, Roma's hardcore followers, one of who boarded the coach and stabbed a man in the leg.

Uefa has refused to bow to requests to move the final because, "it is difficult to move such an event two months before it takes place ... moving to another place would probably put arrangements in danger. It would be less safe."

Uefa admitted Rome's policing for the recent match with Arsenal was inadequate, so how many chances should the city get? Holding the final in the Eternal City is a recipe for disaster.

Support Times Online's campaign in your droves - it's the only way to make Uefa sit up and take notice.

This final must be moved before football is left with more blood on its hands.

good idea tony - i would have though there is already something on facebook isnt there?

it annoys me as 'if' the actions of these italian fans had been british ones fifa and uefa would come down on us like a ton of bricks, how comes the 'ultras', and heavy handed police in italy, can keep getting away with this time and time again?

all being well, and the chances of a change are unlikely, all will go off without a hitch, but was it wise to select rome anyway? 'if' no change is made and something bad does happen then this will be on uefa's hands and conscience...

good idea tony - i would have though there is already something on facebook isnt there?

it annoys me as 'if' the actions of these italian fans had been british ones fifa and uefa would come down on us like a ton of bricks, how comes the 'ultras', and heavy handed police in italy, can keep getting away with this time and time again?

all being well, and the chances of a change are unlikely, all will go off without a hitch, but was it wise to select rome anyway? 'if' no change is made and something bad does happen then this will be on uefa's hands and conscience...

Do you know..I've just read that article and I had no idea of the amount of attacks that had actually taken place. It's a crazy state of affairs. Let's hope they get the policing right on the night and at least try to snuff this out. Like you say, if this had been London there would have been hell to play.

Do you know..I've just read that article and I had no idea of the amount of attacks that had actually taken place. It's a crazy state of affairs. Let's hope they get the policing right on the night and at least try to snuff this out. Like you say, if this had been London there would have been hell to play.